Father Shot Son, 14, Because He Thought He Was Gay, Former Foster Mom Says

Father Shot Son, 14, Because He Thought He Was Gay, Former Foster Mom Says

Wendell Melton, 53, has been charged with killing his young son. (GoFundMe/Henderson PD)

A Nevada father has been charged with killing his teen son and a woman who says she was the victim's foster mom claims it's because the boy was gay.

Wendell Melton was arrested Friday by Henderson police on a felony charge of open murder and various other charges after cops first responded to a home the previous day in reference to a domestic disturbance.

Cops say a preliminary investigation revealed that an altercation had taken place between Melton and his juvenile son, who local reports have identified as 14-year-old Giovanni Melton.

A firearm was allegedly discharged, striking the juvenile.

The fight began because Melton didn't like the fact that his son was gay, according to Sonja Jones, who identifies as the teen's former foster mother.

Jones told KTNV she took in Giovanni and his older brother when they were kicked out of their father's house.

Jones said the boys told her Melton had once pulled a gun on the 14-year-old after finding him with a boyfriend.

Police have not released information regarding Melton's relationship with his son.

According to a police report, Melton told investigators that he had arrived the day of the shooting to the apartment he rented just for the boy to live in because he didn't get along with his stepmother.

Melton said he was there to address information he'd received about the teen skipping school. Melton reportedly told police he pulled a gun out when the argument escalated and it accidentally discharged.

Giovanni was struck in the chest. He later died at a hospital.

Detectives suspect Wendell Melton did not fear for his life when he allegedly drew the gun on Giovanni, according to a police report.

In the wake of the boy's death, Sonja Jones has created a GoFundMe page to support his older brother, who must now live without Giovanni and without a father.

"Alex and Giovanni have been through HELL and back at NO fault of their own. Gio is dead and Alexander is alone to figure out how he's going to mentally, physically, spiritually and financially take care of the rest of his life," Jones wrote.